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College Students Vandalize Native American Ruins

DURANGO, Colo. (CBS4) - Fort Lewis College in Durango is looking into a case of vandalism involving students.

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(credit: Wanda Gayle)

A photo taken at an area of Native American ruins in the Comb Ridge area near Bluff, Utah shows writing in charcoal on the rocks that says "Fort Lewis College OP 2016." The photo was taken by hiker Wanda Gayle, who said "my intent on publicizing this is that vandalism in cultural sites is not okay."

"You have to approach the cultural site with respect for the ancestors," she said.

The school says the vandalism happened in October when several students were there for an overnight outdoor study trip.

The rock is lined with other graffiti as well, but the university has reached out to the Bureau of Land Management in an effort to make those students head back to Comb Ridge to clean up their graffiti and the other graffiti as well.

The Durango Herald reports that college spokesman Mitch Davis called the vandalism "unacceptable."

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